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Say it ain’t so. I’ve had one since ’96 and frankly hadn’t noticed that the company was sold off. The thing is so durable, I haven’t had to call for a repair or replacement part. Said to hear. I remember when Dana’s founder (who I think is named Dana) was signing packs at Trail Days one year. I hope he made out well on it. He designed a great pack.

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Poison Ivy!!!! I get itchy thinking about it. Went out for a pee in the middle of the night, …. and well…. you know.

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As an aging baby boomer that has enjoyed backpacking since the 70’s, the tenants of backpacking light have literally saved my backpacking ability. There are so many light weight products these days, that I expect to be hiking until (and possibly after) I am sitting in a nursing home.

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Skip it. If you want to see the real deal check out the self made movie about Dick Pronneke. This is a guy who not only went into the Alaska wilderness but he survived it as well for many years.

This isn’t any Hollywierd hype and doesn’t have self-important actors. Filmed in the days when you still had to wind the cameras up. Buy it on DVD and watch it more than once. I learned a lot of things just from watching it..

http://www.dickproenneke.com/index.html

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There is no place where my dog is happier than on the trail. I see no reason they shouldn’t be able to enjoy the wilderness as much as I do.

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Saw the movie this week. I have to say that it was pretty powerful. In some ways, you have to admire McCandless. It takes courage to do what he did – live hand-to-mouth, and put yourself on the streets depending largely on total strangers that may not have your best interests at heart.

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I don’t trust the government with the money, period.

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I never could get my computer to talk to the GPS and ended up taking it back to EMS. Not sure if it was a computer or a user issue, but I’ve always found the compass to be reliable enough.

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I was actually hiking in this area during the search. I am glad everything turned out OK.

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A said tale indeed. I feel most sorry for his sister who seemed to have a close relationship with him.

Erika

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I highly recommend you subscribe to Backpacker Magazine, there’s a lot of useful information in it – especially if you are a beginner:

Also, have a look at this book which is printed in conjuction with the magazine. It helped me a lot when I started out a few years ago.

My advice – keep it light, keep it simple and everything else will take care of itself. Good luck to you. I’m hopelessly addicted to backpacking and expect you will be soon.

Erika

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I didn’t run into many people at all while hiking the Chattooga River Trail over Labor day weekend. I found it strange for a holiday, but true. That’d be my suggestion. It’s well marked and frequently runs along the river with lots of nice campsites.

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Gotta see it. What’s the release date on the movie?? It says 9/21 on the website but it doesn’t seem to be showing anywhere that I can tell. http://www.intothewild.com

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My assessment (and I haven’t seen the movie yet):
– McCandless was pissed off at his parents – and rightly so
– He grew up in an affluent community in Virginia
– Went to school at an affluent school in Emory
– And neither environment made him happy
– Writings like Walden influenced him and he found happiness being penniless, free, and divorced from his parents
– A said tale, but McCandless is by no means crazy or psychotic as some (and mainly Alaskans) claim
– He took unnecessary chances and paid for those decisions
– It’s no more complicated than that

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Just read the article in Nat Geo Adventurer. Truly a tragic tale, but makes you appreciate that we often learn and appreciate life the most when we are outside of the comfort zone. God Bless, Chris.

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